Thieboudienne

Authentic recipe for Thieboudienne, Senegal's national dish, featuring broken rice simmered in a rich tomato-fish broth with stuffed fish and root vegetables.

Level Hard Prep 40 min Cook 80 min Servings 6 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

120 min

Makes 6 servings

Prep 40m

Cook 80m

Level Hard

About this recipe

Authentic recipe for Thieboudienne, Senegal's national dish, featuring broken rice simmered in a rich tomato-fish broth with stuffed fish and root vegetables.

The iconic national dish of Senegal combining broken rice, rich tomato broth, fish, and root vegetables.

Instructions

Make incisions in the fish pieces. Mix parsley, garlic, green onion, chili, salt, and pepper to create a stuffing paste, and push it into the slits of the fish.
Heat peanut oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Fry the stuffed fish until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
10 min
In the same oil, add the sliced onions and fry until deeply browned. Stir in the tomato paste and a splash of water, cooking for 5-7 minutes to develop a rich base.
Pour in 6 cups of water and add the dried fish if using. Bring to a boil, then add all the prepared vegetables (cassava, sweet potato, carrots, eggplant, and cabbage). Simmer until tender, then remove the vegetables and set aside.
30 min
Return part of the fried fish to the pot briefly for flavor, then remove it carefully. Add the washed broken rice to the remaining boiling broth, cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and let the rice steam and absorb the liquid until fluffy.
35 min
To serve, spread the red broken rice onto a large communal platter, arrange the cooked vegetables gracefully on top, and place the fried stuffed fish in the center.

Nutrition

Calories 620

Protein 34g

Carbs 75g

Fat 20g

Fiber 8g

Sugar 7g

Sodium 720mg

Serving Size 1 portion

Cooking Timeline

Prep 40 min

Cook 80 min

Total 120 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.8
Presentation 9.5
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.2
Instructions 9.0
Ingredients 9.0
Time Accuracy 8.5
Difficulty 6.0
Would Make Again 9.0

Video

Watch on Youtube

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An absolute masterpiece of West African culinary art, offering a complex harmony of flavors.

Pros

Incredible depth of flavor
Rich blend of seafood and vegetables
Authentic cultural experience

Cons

Requires multiple steps and careful timing

Overview

The iconic national dish of Senegal combining broken rice, rich tomato broth, fish, and root vegetables.

AI Insights

Summary

Authentic recipe for Thieboudienne, Senegal's national dish, featuring broken rice simmered in a rich tomato-fish broth with stuffed fish and root vegetables.

Tips

Do not stir the rice constantly once it's covered; letting it form a slight crust (called Xoon) at the bottom is a prized part of the dish
Use broken rice if possible, as it absorbs the rich broth much better than whole grain rice
Remove vegetables gently before adding the rice so they do not become mushy